Baclofen
GABA agonist
- Alcohol2
- Binge eating3
- Potential for misuse
Features
Dosing
10mg 1/2 po tid x3days then 1 po tid, max 60mg/d
Management
May be addictive. Muscle relaxant. Approved for alcohol use in Europe. Reduces cravings and can make people feel intoxicated quicker on alcohol, which may actually be how it helps them drink less.
TOLERABILITY: Fatigue, nausea, vertigo, GI distress (but may treat reflux), possible abuse potential.
EMR Text
Alcohol use disorder
Baclofen used based on large, randomized controlled trials where it improved sobriety in alcohol use disorder (Agabio R et al, Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2023;1(1):CD012557).
Baclofen side effects, including sedation and abuse potential, reviewed with patient.
Binge eating disorder
Baclofen used based on a randomized controlled trial in binge eating disorder (Corwin RL et al, Behav Pharmacol. 2012;23(5-6):616-625).
Baclofen side effects, including sedation and abuse potential, reviewed with patient.